"I had this vision a long time ago," explained senior author Mohammad Malakooti, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at UW. "When you put this device on your skin, it uses your body heat to directly power an LED. As soon as you put the device on, the LED lights up. This wasn't possible before."
Current thermoelectric devices are rigid and brittle, but Malakooti's team designed a more flexible version that conforms easily to the wearer's body. The device's core consists of rigid thermoelectric semiconductors that convert heat to electricity. These are surrounded by 3D-printed composites that reduce weight and improve energy efficiency. Liquid metal traces are used to connect the semiconductors, enhancing both stretchability and electrical self-healing.
The potential uses for this technology extend beyond wearables. Malakooti envisions the devices being applied to electronics that generate excess heat, such as in data centers. "You can imagine sticking these onto warm electronics and using that excess heat to power small sensors," Malakooti said.
"This could be especially helpful in data centers, where servers and computing equipment consume substantial electricity and generate heat, requiring even more electricity to keep them cool. Our devices can capture that heat and repurpose it to power temperature and humidity sensors. This approach is more sustainable because it creates a standalone system that monitors conditions while reducing overall energy consumption. Plus, there's no need to worry about maintenance, changing batteries or adding new wiring."
Additionally, the technology can work in reverse - by adding electricity, the devices can heat or cool surfaces. Malakooti mentioned the future possibility of incorporating this into virtual reality systems, enhancing user comfort by creating hot or cold sensations on the skin. For now, the focus remains on wearables that provide temperature feedback and are durable.
Research Report:3D Soft Architectures for Stretchable Thermoelectric Wearables with Electrical Self-Healing and Damage Tolerance
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